Michael Phelan, Storvatnet, The Glass Lake (AERIAL 2024)

This captivating image captures a rare phenomenon at Storvatnet lake, where nature's whims create an extraordinary spectacle. Typically shrouded in layers of snow or fully melted, the timing of my visit coincided with Norway's most severe storms in three decades. Amid relentless rain and gusts of wind, the lake's surface appeared cracked yet eerily smooth, resembling polished glass. Against the backdrop of stark black granite and snow-cloaked mountains, the scene evoked a breathtaking contrast that left an indelible impression.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.